Registration falsified? - Page 1

I need advice from experienced breeders. Seven months ago I purchased a registered, well bred female GSD pup from a supposedly reputable breeder (some of you would certainly know of this individual). This was not my first purchase from this breeder. The first went very smoothly. We have had this new pup seven months, and would not trade her for the world; either dog for that matter. They are both fine animals and we love them. But, I have never received registration paperwork from the breeder. I have asked repeatedly. With the first requests, I was told the paperwork would be sent "tomorrow" or in a couple of days. Now I get no response from my attempts at communication. We live hundreds of miles apart. I know for a fact this breeder still today advertises and sells. Any advice as to how to proceed at this point?

Where is the breeder located? You might check around and see if there are problems reported on the BBB website. I am familiar with most breeders in the Midwest and would be happy to help if I can. You may e-mail me if I can be of further assistance at ellie_may28@yahoo.com.

Well, so far it does not sound like any registration has been falsified, but only that the breeder has not produced the registration papers. There are several steps you can take. If this is an international style breeder, you can inform the USCA, the GSDCA-WDA and the SV. If an American style GSD, then the GSDCA and perhaps the AKC might be able to help. But going this route will drag out the thing for many months and in the meantime you will have a dog you can't show or get a scorebook for. In my experience, a letter from a lawyer threatening to bring suit and seeking damages almost always does the trick pretty quickly. On a couple of occasions, I have had to file an actual complain with the circuit court for clients but I have never had it go farther than that.

Ortlinda which country are you in?

Ortlinda, Based on the assumption that you are located in the USA and we are speaking of pups from German Highlines, you will find that the USCA and the GSDCA-WDA cannot assist you in obtaining the papers. What they will be able to do is let you know if similar complaints were lodged regarding this breeder and if there are others in the same predicament. I think I am making a correct statement here. I really believe that would be the first place to go to see if this is a single occurrence or if this a pattern. The matter you are describing in your short request, sounds unfortunately familiar. This is why I would not hesitate to contact in particular the WDA and go from there.

I had a situation where I bred my bitch to a stud, the stud was in transfer from one owner to the other, well the papework took awhile for that. And then the stud owner decided that she wanted more money for the stud fee (I had already paid her the agreed amout for the breeding of both females) she found out that I sold my puppies for more than she sells hers for and wanted me to pay her the price of one pup per litter. Well this would have put the price of the males stud fee over what ALL VA dogs studs are going for. I couldn't believe it. Anyway I contacted my lawyer and then passed on the info to her. So she has decided to sign the paperwork, only to find out that she might not have backdated the akc paperwork and I might have to go to the previouse owner to get my papers signed. And it has almost been a year. I will get the papers it is just taking longer than what I thought. Sometimes it isn't really us the breeders fault it could be the stud owner. Heather

What state is this individual from????????????????????????

We're all learning a valuable lesson here, breeders and buyers alike. I always give the pup buyers COPIES of both parents' pedigrees with my name as the owner on it. That prooves that I own the dogs. As a buyer you could request this upfront. As a breeder using an outside stud, ask to see the pedigree and the AKC registration when in the usa. Have the stud card signed RIGHT THERE AND THEN, pay and leave. I've had one situation as a breeder where the pedigree was held up in europe and it became very volatile with me having to step in and call the registry myself to find out WHAT was going on. Her pups were 5 months old when I finally, after MUCH nagging received it... Not fun. BUT, i did tell the pup buyers that her paperwork was stuck in Europe upfront before they bought. Depending on what you paid for the pup, with or without AKC limited/full, show prospect, contract?, i'd say report to the bbb, its easy enough as they are online nationally now. http://bbb.org/

Being guarded: Let's say you buy your dog from a breeder advertising on a website and the website looks very good. You live a long way away, so you never get to meet the breeder or see the kennel facility. You buy your first dog which is shipped to you and everything goes smoothly. So you buy your second from them too. And you don't get your papers on that one. And you spend weeks writing and asking the status and get the run around. Then you start getting suspicious and really don't know where to turn. Eventually the breeder tells you that the puppy was worth more or that this was never really the agreement, that they co-own the dog. If they want to own the dog outright, they have to send more money or return the dog. In the meantime the dog is part of your household and you are so attached, you could never return the animal. And on top of that you don't know where you are returning him/her to, because your suspicions are now raised that this place might not be so wonderful. A GSD scam. You wind up paying the additional money because legal fees will be more than the settlement and litigation in a State you are not domiciled in will be costly one way or another. In the meantime, your puppy is getting older and all you want are his/her papers. In the USA there is no one overseeing the breeders of the GSD and business practices vary considerably. This opens up the arena to people who are not concerned about the breed but in scamming innocent people.

First of all, let me say thank you to all that responded. You are obviously a good and knowledgable group of breeders. I am new to owning dogs of this calibre, and am not a breeder. I am in the USA; in the Midwest. I think Sunshine describes my situation pretty well. Yes, I am attached to this dog, so she's not going anywhere, regardless. But, she is showing tremendous talent and it is such a shame things have gone this route. If my breeder had any type of situation such as the Het describes, an explanation and some communication would have gone a long way. I realize "stuff happens." But, in this case, to lie about "papers being in the mail" and to ignore customers for months is inexcusable. I'm not an unreasonable person. I just want what I paid for! As a result, I have no other alternative but to be suspicious. The suggestion of consulting with the BBB is a good idea. I had not thought of that. I will also contact the GSDCA and perhaps the AKC for advice. Thanks, ellie_mae, Kloss and Saoa. This purchase was for a full registration with contract. My breeder is in the South. I'd rather not say much more than that at this point, in case it turns into a legal battle. I hope you understand. Perhaps at a later date I can reveal this, because I think it is very important to stop sellers such as this. I'll post my progress. Keeping my fingers crossed for a positive outcome! Elizabeth